THE Davao City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) is nearing the completion of demarcating the 72.2-kilometer bike lane in the city.
CTTMO head Dionisio said it is already 95 percent complete, as his office already covered 68 kilometers of the 72.2 kilometers targeted for markings since his office started working on it last June 10.
For the first phase, the bike lane covers the Mc Arthur Highway, Quirino Avenue, the corner from Sta. Ana Avenue to Alcantara, Quimpo Boulevard, Dacudao Avenue, Cabaguio Avenue or Leon Garcia, the corner Magsaysay to corner San Pedro Trading; corner from Quezon Boulevard to corner CM Recto Avenue, corner JP Laurel to Fr. Selga Street, Maa Road and Pichon Street.
After the first phase, Abude said his office will immediately start the second phase, which covers a total of 19.4 kilometers (11.6 km along the Davao Agusan National Highway and 7.8 km along the McArthur Highway).
Abude said they will still have to work on the pavement markings.
“We are still waiting for the purchase of the colored thermoplastic paints before we start with the pavement markings such as the bike symbols,” Abude said.
Meanwhile, Abude said they will study Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang's request to also put up bike lanes from Carlos P. Garcia Highway (Diversion Road), Panacan to Lasang.
He added they will look into Dayanghirang's request if it would be feasible.
“Gina-studyhan namo didto kay 60 kph (kilometers per hour) man gud na diha, tan awon nato kung safe ba sa mga bikers. (We are assessing the area if it is safe for bikers because the speed limit there is 60 kph),” Abude said.
The creation of the bike lanes complies with the order of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urging all local government units (LGUs) to establish bicycle lanes in all local roads to support those who will bike to their work destination due to the reduced capacity of public transportation under the general community quarantine (GCQ).
Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, meanwhile, signed the suspension through Executive Order (EO) No. 40 series of 2020 or "An order providing for the suspension of bicycle registration, bicycle registration fees, and allowing the use of bicycle lanes in the City of Davao," which was publicly released on Friday, June 19.
Meanwhile, the City Government urged cyclists to use the bicycle lanes marked by CTTMO.
Persons on bicycles are required to wear a helmet, headgear or protective head covering.
For those traveling at night, bikers must have reflectors, or headlights, or rear lights or any other warning lights attached to the bicycle or on his/her person.
Bicycles made for single riders are not allowed to carry more than one passenger at a time. Tandem bicycles shall be allowed only for the capacity for which it is made.
Riders with cargo shall not carry the same with their hands while operating the bike, nor place the same on their handlebars or the wheelbase. Cargo must be placed in a wearable backpack or on a basket/carrier in front of the handlebars or behind the seat.
Pedal-operated passenger tricycles-for-hire are not allowed to traverse the bike lanes.
Also, no motorized transport vehicle may use, park or stop on the marked bicycle lanes.
Pedestrians are urged to use the sidewalks and not the bicycle lanes to give way to persons on bicycles. (With reports from CIO)